Jeanne Costales

Two candidates in the Nov. 8 election are running for the 71st Assembly District. They are Democrat Jeanne Costales of Lake Forest and Republican Mickey Conroy, the incumbent, of Orange. Here's how they stand on four issues. 'Three Strikes' Crime Law Costales: "I strongly support the need to remove repeat, violent offenders from society at large. I support a "three-strikes" anti-crime law for repeat violent offenders.

Embattled incumbent Jim Toledano withdrew his candidacy for chairman of the county Democratic Party on Monday, and one of his chief critics was elected to the post. With Toledano's withdrawal, former party Vice Chairwoman Jeanne Costales beat middle school teacher Margaret "Meg" Robinson for the two-year post as leader of the county's 418,000 registered Democrats.

Embattled incumbent Jim Toledano withdrew his candidacy for chairman of the county Democratic Party on Monday, and one of his chief critics was elected to the post. With Toledano's withdrawal, former party Vice Chairwoman Jeanne Costales beat middle school teacher Margaret "Meg" Robinson for the two-year post as leader of the county's 418,000 registered Democrats.

Two candidates in the Nov. 8 election are running for the 71st Assembly District. They are Democrat Jeanne Costales of Lake Forest and Republican Mickey Conroy, the incumbent, of Orange. Here's how they stand on four issues. 'Three Strikes' Crime Law Costales: "I strongly support the need to remove repeat, violent offenders from society at large. I support a "three-strikes" anti-crime law for repeat violent offenders.

The Orange County Democratic Party this week supported the recall of Steven Frogue as a trustee on the South Orange County Community College District board, saying it must "stand up against bigotry and anti-Semitism." Though Frogue has repeatedly denied he is anti-Semitic, Jeanne Costales, Democratic Party chair, said the party's Central Committee has unanimously backed the recall of the embattled trustee. A recall petition this year failed to get enough signatures, but another has been started.

The Democratic Party Committee of the 73rd Assembly District, which includes much of South County, will host a potluck picnic Sunday to address issues related to the theme "California--Education in Crisis." The picnic, which starts at 11 a.m, will be held at Guajome Park in Oceanside. There is no fee for admission to the event, which will include speakers, games, entertainment and food. Speakers will include Supt. James A.

It was before daylight Thursday morning when Orange County Democratic Party chairwoman Jeanne Costales and 30 others gathered on Pacific Coast Highway in Huntington Beach to greet morning commuters with signs reading: "Support the President" and "Stop the Impeachment." Two hours later, Laguna Beach resident Trish Chatlin was phoning more than 200 members of the community inviting them to a candlelight vigil in support of President Clinton.

The new leader of Orange County's Democratic Party says he is hopeful that Democrats can focus on a new, successful strategy in a county dominated by Republicans. "We have been our own worst enemies," said Jim Toledano, who won election as chairman Monday night. "We have not carried out the weight of responsibility that more than 400,000 registered Democrats deserve."

Ten days after backing off a formal resolution supporting President Bush's anti-terrorism and Middle East military policies, the Orange County Board of Supervisors signed a letter praising the president's efforts. The letter, written on board stationery and signed by all five supervisors, supports the administration's homeland defense and anti-terrorism campaigns, which Bush is using to justify removing Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.

Leaders of Orange County's Democratic Party split Tuesday night in a vote over whether Chairman Jim Toledano should resign for accepting a $10,000 donation that might have violated federal contribution limits. "I am still the party chairman. I will remain the party chairman," Toledano said after the closed-door vote near midnight by the 11-member executive board. The donation came from Debra Lee LaPrade of Paradise Valley, Ariz.

In the last two weeks, the two major political parties named their Orange County chairmen as each seeks to move forward from the busy political year 1996. While local party chairmen vary in influence and leadership style, each ultimately represents the face the party presents to the electorate. The county will be well served by a vigorous and imaginative presentation of ideas and by renewed efforts by party organizations to increase voter interest and participation.